Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about a LADO’s investigation. We cannot investigate a school and police investigation the LADO oversaw. We are unlikely to add to the Council’s reply to Mrs X’s complaint.

The complaint

1. Mrs X says a Council’s Local Authority Designated Officer’s (LADO) investigation was not robust and lacked integrity.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We cannot investigate most complaints about what happens in schools. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5, paragraph 5(2), as amended)
3. We cannot investigate a complaint if it is about action taken by or on behalf of any local policing body in connection with the investigation or prevention of crime. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5, Section 26, paragraph 2 as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by Mrs X which included the Council’s reply to their complaint.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. In 2024, Mrs X complained to the Council about the way a school had treated her child, D. The Council appointed a LADO to coordinate the schools and police investigation. Mrs X was unhappy with the investigations. She complained to the Council about the investigations and the LADO’s involvement. The Council replied in detail.
7. We cannot investigate the school’s investigation.
8. We cannot investigate the police’s enquiries and investigation.
9. The LADO’s role is limited. And as we cannot investigate the school and police investigations, the extent to which we can look at the LADO’s role is limited. We are unlikely to add significantly to the Council’s reply to Mrs X’s complaint.

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Final decision

10. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because we cannot investigate the school’s and police’s investigations and we are unlikely to add to the Council’s reply to a complaint about a LADO’s involvement.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman